Happy New Year!

It strikes me that we give this greeting every year but does it actually mean anything? Can you control how happy you may be today or throughout the year, and does someone saying that to you necessarily make any difference? Probably not.
On the other hand I really do want you to have a wonderful year. So how can we improve the odds that you will? Well, good health is obviously one factor and that is something everyone can work on.
The resolutions to exercise more and lose weight are undoubtedly valid, year in and year out. But what else?
Have you charted your family history yet? Ask everyone questions about the health of your relatives and predecessors you may be surprised how much you don't know. Be sure to write down all the verified information, sometimes this can give you a footprint of possible health concerns within your family so you know what to work on. Armed with a chart of your family history you can design a preventative strategy for living longer and better.

Check your health records and go ahead and schedule your health maintenance exams for the whole year, now, while you are thinking about it. Things like physical exams, pap smears, mammograms, blood work and colonoscopies can all be scheduled up to a year out. Schedule your dental and eye visits as well.

Throughout the year I am going to be discussing the importance of different vitamins so you can see if your regimen needs to be adjusted. You can also do a blood test to completely evaluate your vitamin status, if you like.

Have you already had your flu shot? If not, forget the rumors and get it out of the way. When you get ill in the winter, you miss time out of work feeling lousy and unproductive. You have to drag yourself to the doctor and may spread germs to other family members. It can also lead to more serious consequences like pneumonia. Almost all insurances cover the flu shot now. However, even if they didn't it would still be a bargain, by the time you factor in your co-pay and how much you spend experimenting with over-the-counter products that may or may not help.

I believe the most important aspect of being healthy is being informed.  Patient education is by far one of my most important jobs as a physician. So please continue to read my blog and ask questions. Let's prevent ill health before it starts ............ together.

Have a healthy New Year, and you will be happy!

Sincerely

Dr. Tuakli